Illustration for children and grown ups from Ken Wilson-Max

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A slow burning idea can sometimes work very effectively. Are you a prolific ideas generator? See what happens when you slow yourself down. Put your idea onto paper/a device and then leave it to bubble away… Notice how much more focused you are when you get back to it, or when it starts to call you. Everyone has their ideal situation to generate ideas. But it is well worth trying something different, if only to reaffirm what you already know!

For one of my books I was super-excited when I started, and still super-excited some nine years later when the book finally hit the bookshops. Yes, that’s right- nine years! About six or seven different iterations, three changes in art style, rhyming text, prose, and so on. Each time I thought that was the right version. Then I kept pushing for something more…

Stepping away can actually help speed up the process.

It was a slow burner. It got better with time. It was a relatively new experience to hold a book that took that long, but wholly satisfying. I learned a lot about my own process, improved on many levels, like how to develop characters and the worlds they inhabit, and there is something about the painting that I found more considered and consistent.

Stepping away creates time to assess an idea on a much deeper level. It helps to become less emotionally attached to the work too, which is something that will be useful when it is time to hand it over to a publisher.

Combined with time away, the importance of sketchbooks and notebooks in the creative process can’t be underestimated. They hold all our thoughts and ideas and free up our brains to create new ones. So when you are stuck, or feel like you aren’t giving your best, just step away and wait.

Recenly on chicken newspaper: Chicken Newspaper for Children

The Eucalyptus, from the family Myrtaceae, is famous for being one of the tallest trees on the planet. It grows up to 60 meters, or 200 feet tall and there are over 700 species of eucalyptus. Most come from Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. They are evergreen trees, which means they don’t shed their leaves, which contain a rich oil that can be used as an insecticide, for coughs, sore throats or blocked noses. Chicken! tip: If you have a cold or blocked nose, add four drops of Eucalyptus oil to boiling water. Then cover your head with a towel Read more

last printedIt’s June! That means its the first Junefest, a children’s books festival taking place over the month in Stroud Green & Harringay Library, North London. Chicken Newspaper will be taking part, and giving away free copies of the last printed issue. So, if you are in North London, what are you waiting for? Come along and join the fun.

Here’s a first look at Little Chicken, our forthcoming publication for under fives and their parents. Right now, we’re putting the finishing touches onto first issue. Would you like to get involved? by commenting on what you see, if you are an early years teacher or specialist? That includes parents by the way. Sign up, take a look and comment. Simple as that. If you want to contribute an article or idea let us know and we’ll consider it.